"Slush up"

We had a tough day for Uncle Dave.  After a procedure in the morning, the bad news is that the cancer was in fact in a few places.  The good news is that it is not in the kidney.  The bad news is the diagnosis itself, which is stage four.  Statistics fly in your face at stage four - Mommy was very close to having stage four some time ago.  She is recovered though, with no trace ever since. We're believing, praying and hoping for a similar outcome for Uncle Dave.

Today was Friday, which is a day to set up shop for our new series, "Weird Science."  This one has a different feel to it.  For one, Madison is involved a little more, and able to enjoy and understand it.  Here's a look back at Madison the last time we did "Weird Science:"

Hopefully, we can get that Van De Graaff generator up and going once more.  It was a lot of fun with Madison's long hair!

So today was mostly work on skits, videos, and all things "Weird Science."  We have a few new experiments to do this go round, including the solar car we built earlier, and a rocket that we'll launch soon enough.

Madison and Daddy are having the time of our lives with the Sodapalooza cup.  It's amazing that we can get a slushy every single day.  Unlimited refills until August.  That's insane!  Madison and Daddy have our cups ready, and make frequent trips to "slush up!"  Although she's been leaning towards the Peach Mango tea lately.  Seriously, about once a day she goes.  Sometimes more for Daddy!

Madison has just a few weeks of school to go now, can you believe it?  Common question posted on this blog, I know.  "Can you believe it?"  Today is the first of May, and exactly one month from now, we'll have Summer Xtreme, and the beginning of a great summer.  Looking forward to it very much, as well as the vacation that follows.  We do have a bit planned for Madison in that regard, including ballet camp for a few weeks, and art camp as always.  But we'd love to go down to Florida for a second trip of the summer, to go to the Space Coast.  Hopefully that will pan out - we'll see.

Until then, there's plenty to do.  In fact, that's why this entry is cut short - we've got lots to go before things are set up for our new series, "Weird Science."

Here's the next entry in our elemental devotional, about an element that hasn't even been named yet...

“Do to others as you want them to do to you.” Luke 6:31 NIrV

UNUNSEPTIUM

Uus 117

     Just a few years ago, scientists were able to make another new discovery:  element 117 on the Periodic Table!  That’s right, they’re still discovering new elements even now.  This one has the temporary name of ununseptium, and good luck pronouncing that!  Soon it will be given an official new name – that’s how recent all of this has happened.  They haven’t even had time to give it an official name yet!

     What is neat about this element is the fact that two countries worked together to find it.  It was discovered in Russia, but they needed help from scientists in America.  These two countries are pretty competitive, but it used to be even more so.  Today, they work together in space – and in the chemistry lab too.

     If these two very different countries can try to get along, it goes without saying that all of us should.  In fact, that’s the golden rule.  Or in just this one instance, we’ll call it the ununseptium rule:  “Treat others the way that you want to be treated.”

     Rather than focus on those things that you don’t like about other people, why not focus on the ways you can work together?  And if others don’t want to get along, don’t worry about it.  Just do your best, and keep a positive attitude.  Remember that change starts with you.  It may not be a chemical change, but over time you can see a positive one.  Just don’t go around acting like others are radioactive or something – instead, treat them as you would want to be treated.  You’ll find yourself in God’s favor quicker than you can say ununseptium!